The sidewalks in the River Market area need help. River Merket is a distinct district that has a completely different feel then the rest of the city. River Market is characterized by its early 1900’s architecture, narrow streets and most importantly its brick sidewalks.

The sidewalks in River Market are important for a number of reasons. They add to the urban design ascetic of the area, they are nice to walk on and they help visitors distinguish between the districts they are walking in.

The issue is how different sidewalks materials clash in river market. There is new concreate in between plots of brick sidewalks that breaks up the feel of the area. There are also a number of older brick sidewalks that were placed horizontally while the newer sidewalks are placed vertically. This clash creates a riff in the character of the city.

My proposal is to add a gradient in the materials used. When transitioning between brick and concreate or between bricks placed at different angles, add a gentle transition between the materials. This shows that some level of care was put it to maintain the ascetic of the district and is not as harsh on the eye.

The examples of my proposed interventions above are inspired by what theme parks such as Disney World and Universal Studios do to transition between their various themed lands. It creates a more thoughtful transition between spaces and materials.

Critics may ask “why not just replaces all of the sidewalks with the same brick?” There are a few reasons for this. The majority of the brick on these sidewalks are in great condition, aside from a few spots that need some repair. There are also curb cuts that allow for accessibility, these are not possible to create with brick and need concrete to be safe. Lastly replacing all the brick is not a sustainable option. It is extremely wasteful and not cost effective. The “greenest” solution is using as much of the existing materials as possible and that is what this solution provides.

Sidewalks may not seem like an important aspect of the urban experience but the material we walk on and the look of it provides subconscious ques that we are in a different area. By making a few simple changes we can help to preserve the historic character of River Market and create an even better experience for visitors of this district.